Emergency Management InstituteThe Emergency Management Institute, which is operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has a mission to support the Department of Homeland Security by training and educating professionals in the field. Since there is a rising demand for emergency management personnel who will protect against disasters, respond to emergencies, and mitigate the effects of a disaster, there is a proportionate increase in the demand for training and student support. If you would like to learn exactly what the EMI does to advance the field, read on and find out what the institute does to prepare more than 2 million students annually.

What Types of Courses Can You Take?

The EMI has a National Emergency Training Center where students prepare for jobs in all different areas of Emergency Management. There is a long list of courses that you can take through the NETC, all of which are designed to help you develop your skills in response and recovery. Some of the various courses include: Supply Chain, Field Site Execution, Foundations of Emergency Management, Planning, Science for Disasters, Public Information, Exercise Evaluation and more.

How to Qualify to Take EMI Courses

You must meet a specific set of criteria and complete prerequisite courses before you are eligible to apply to the EMI. Unlike some schools that have their own Emergency Management programs, when you are attending classes with the EMI you may not take a class more than once. Therefore, it is imperative that you dedicate your time to these on-campus classes. In most cases, you are required to be a U.S. resident to enroll in courses, but the agency may accept a limited number of international participants.

How to Apply for Classes with EMI

It is very important that you review the start date and admissions deadlines, as well as review all prerequisites, for the classes that you are interested in. The seats fill up very quickly, so you should fill out the General FEMA Admission Application and the application for EMI on-campus courses as early as possible. You will first need to register for a Student ID number, submit your application, and then wait for a status update.

On-campus classes are held in Maryland at the National Emergency Training Center. If you would prefer not to apply to attend classes on-campus, you do have the option for Independent Study. Many independent study courses are available to be taken during your free time free of charge. To participate in the independent study programs, you must apply and take an exam before being considered. Be sure to review the vacancies for each upcoming date before you apply.

The purpose of the EMI is to give emergency managers a platform to complete professional development which, in turn, helps maintain public safety. While many agencies and corporations prefer to hire professionals who already possess a degree, continuing your education through FEMA can show that you are committed to progressing your career. Commit yourself and learn the latest in response practices and recovery techniques through the Emergency Management Institute so that you can be the best professional possible.